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| You were the happiest kid in town, and the envy of all your pals! At Halloween that mask was your best friend. The years have passed and that old friend is showing it’s age. "... But, how could I have taken better care, and what can I do now? " Follow these steps, and your mask will last a long - long time. Without costly repairs! Keep the bag it came in, or a similar bag to store it in when you don’t plan to wear it. Latex masks are sensitive to oxygen, ozone, and many airborne pollutants. Including tobacco smoke. All these elements when in contact with the surface, act as a corrosive, to break down the desirable qualities of the latex. Eventually, the mask will loose it’s elasticity, and become brittle, tear, or get mushy. If the mask was boxed, Keep it in that too. The box will keep it from getting squashed. If a mask is crushed under something heavy, it can retain creases, and won’t stay in it’s proper shape. |
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| It’s easy to keep your mask clean inside too. After you’ve worn it, use a paper towel, or cloth dampened with alcoholto wipe over the inner surfaces of your mask. This will remove most of the perspiration, and saliva that can transfer into the mask while you are wearing it and having fun scaring people. The benefit of the removal of these fluids is twofold. Firstly, perspiration contains oil, which when not removed, can contribute to the breakdown of latex we mentioned earlier. Also, it becomes a prime spot for bacteria to breed. This bacteria can cause further damage to the rubber, as well as turn your mask into a face-hugging cesspool, waiting for the next time you put it on! Not to mention what that can do to your complexion. If you wear makeup around your eyes to help hide that ‘mask gap’ at the eye holes, pay particular attention to cleaning that area inside the mask. Grease paint makeup should not be used, because of the oils in it. If it was used, remove its residue from the rubber. The best makeup to use is a water base makeup, available at many party stores.This too should be wiped out after wear, with a towel dampened with alcohol. After the mask is clean and dry, lightly powder the interior with cornstarch. This will keep the clean latex from sticking to itself. You can use baby powder, but do NOT use one that contains talc. Talc is a natural mineral, which can be a lung and respiratory irritant, if inhaled. Corn starch is natural, and safe. I prefer using cornstarch made for baking, it’s unscented and much cheaper too. |
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| One of the most universally damaging things is sunlight. Ask any vampire!
Think about it. Your car’s paint job, a newspaper, even human skin, are all susceptible to damage from the sun’s rays. Your masks are no exception. Sunlight contains the entire spectrum of light. It’s most harmful portion is Ultra-Violet light. That’s the same light that causes us to tan, and makes funhouses fun,( we also know U-V light as black light). This U-V light will, over time cause your masks paint to fade and accelerate the aging of the rubber, making it turn brown and get brittle. Once U-V has done it’s damage, there is no going back. There is no way to restore lost moisture to latex. This includes applying Armor All, or similar silicone oil based product. It just won’t work. |
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| A mask’s hair can become matted after years of neglect, if it is not kept clean.
The best way to keep it clean is to always store it in it’s bag. If your mask has been displayed, or it’s hair got dirty through wearing, the best way to clean it is to blow it out with a canned air product. The type for cleaning electronics and cameras works fine. If the soiling is more stubborn, you can use a damp cloth, and blot the dirt out. It is important to blot, and not rub! Do not comb the hair on your masks. Use a boar bristle brush, and brush, only in the direction of the hair. This will only arrange the top hairs, but will give a more even look. Most mask’s hair is sprayed at the factory, to help hold it’s shape. You can refresh this, after careful brushing. Use an inexpensive hair spray such as Final Net. Do not use a conditioning spray. These contain oils. |
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| If you don’t keep your mask on a wig stand, you should use a stand, or stuff it,to help it keep it’s shape. Some people are worried that a Styrofoam wig stand can harm their mask. It won’t. In fact, if the mask is latex, the styrene plastic is quite safe. If your mask is vinyl, it can over time actually do damage to the Styrofoam. Styrofoam is sensitive to the oils which may leach from the vinyl, over time. Many people use rolls of paper towels to hold their masks, that's okay, but I suggest plastic shopping bags, because they're free, they are lightweight, and they won’t overstuff a mask. If you want to make really great stands for really cheap, try this link! Newspaper, which is commonly used, has trace amounts of acid in it, which can adversely affect a mask, it'll also get brittle, and loose it's supportive qualities. So I don’t recommend it. |
| A MASK DOCTOR RX by Kelly Mann SIMPLE WAYS TO KEEP YOUR MASKS LOOKING GREAT. |
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| If you do need further help, I suggest the Mask Dr's F.A.Q. page, which offers advice and solutions and the best ways to fix your problem! |
| If you want to display your masks, as most collectors do! Remember- 1. Put your mask on a stand or stuff it, to keep it's shape with a friendly material. 2. Display your mask out of direct sunlight, and away from kitchen grease, and cigarrette smoke. 3. Dust your mask. Lightly and regularly, using a soft brush or canned air. 4. After wearing your mask, wipe the inside with a cloth dampened with alcohol to remove perspiration and other contaminates, Don't forget to powder with corn starch. Follow these simple pointers, and your Masks will give you many years of enjoyment. Without needing the emergency services of The Mask Doctor. |
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